APO-Telyt-R Module System 280-800mm

Leica · Leica R · 1996 · 280mm f/2.8

Also known as: APO-Telyt-R Module · APO-Telyt-R Module System · APO Telyt R Module · APO-Telyt R Module · Telyt-R Module · Leica Telyt Module · APO-Telyt-R Modul · APO-Telyt-R Modulsystem · APO-Telyt R Modulsystem · APO Telyt R Modulsystem · Leica APO-Telyt-R Module System · Leica modular Telyt · APO-Telyt-R Focus Module · APO-Telyt-R rear focus module · APO-TELYT-R f/280/400/560 mm · APO-TELYT-R f/400/560/800 mm · APO Telyt R Focus Module · Leica Focus Module R · Leica R Focus Module · APO-Telyt-R 280/400/560 · APO-Telyt-R 400/560/800 · APO-Telyt R 280mm 400mm 560mm · APO-Telyt R 400mm 560mm 800mm · Leica 280/400/560mm · Leica 400/560/800mm · APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 Module · APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 Module · APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 Modul · APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 Modul · APO-Telyt-R 11843 Focus Module 1x · APO-Telyt-R 11844 Focus Module 1.4x · APO-Telyt-R 11845 Focus Module 2x · APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/4 · APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/4 · APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/5.6 · APO-Telyt-R 800mm f/5.6 · Leica 400mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R · Leica 560mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R · Leica 560mm f/5.6 APO-Telyt-R · Leica 800mm f/5.6 APO-Telyt-R · Leica 11841 · Leica 11842 · Leica 11843 · Leica 11844 · Leica 11845 · Leica 11846 · Leica 11847 · Leica 11848 · Leica 11849 · Leica 11857 · Leica 11858 · ライカアポテリートR モジュール

Variants & identification

Variant	Mount	Years	Serial ranges	Production
APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 (11846): head 11841 + Focus Module 1x 11843 · 8 elements in 7 groups	Leica R, ROM (R3 to R9; not the Leicaflex bodies)	—	—	—
APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 (11847): head 11842 + Focus Module 1x 11843 · 10 elements in 8 groups	Leica R, ROM (R3 to R9; not the Leicaflex bodies)	—	—	—
APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/4 (11857): head 11841 + Focus Module 1.4x 11844 · 9 elements in 7 groups	Leica R, ROM (R3 to R9; not the Leicaflex bodies)	—	—	—
APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/4 (11848): head 11842 + Focus Module 1.4x 11844 · 11 elements in 8 groups	Leica R, ROM (R3 to R9; not the Leicaflex bodies)	—	—	—
APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/5.6 (11858): head 11841 + Focus Module 2x 11845 · 9 elements in 7 groups	Leica R, ROM (R3 to R9; not the Leicaflex bodies)	—	—	—
APO-Telyt-R 800mm f/5.6 (11849): head 11842 + Focus Module 2x 11845 · 11 elements in 8 groups	Leica R, ROM (R3 to R9; not the Leicaflex bodies)	—	—	—

Specifications are from Leica's Handbook 2000/2001, pp. 2-22 to 2-27, which describes each of the six combinations separately. Apotelyt's table agrees on elements and groups, and on close focus except for the 800 (3.90 m against Leica's 3.95 m); it gives 4.4° for both 560s against Leica's 4.5°, and gives the reproduction ratios as 1:6.1, 8.6, 4.6, 6.4, 3.1 and 4.5 against Leica's 1:6.1, 8.5, 4.5, 6.5, 3.1 and 4.5.
Weights disagree. Leica's handbook: 3.700, 5.900, 3.800, 6.000, 3.950 and 6.200 kg for 280/2.8, 400/2.8, 400/4, 560/4, 560/5.6 and 800/5.6. Apotelyt's module table: 3,740, 6,240, 3,860, 6,360, 4,050 and 6,550 g, 40 to 360 g more in every case. Leica's figures are used in the rows.
Body fit. Leica's handbook describes every combination as having the 'LEICA R quick change bayonet, for LEICA R3–R8 with mechanical shutter/aperture balance, and for LEICA R8 with additional electronic' balance; the R9 of 2002 shares the R8's mount. The handbook's ROM table lists all six as 'already with ROM'; its conversion notes say that Leicaflex control cams must be removed for ROM, and that once the contact ledge for the R8 is added, use on Leicaflex models is no longer possible. The Leicaflex, SL and SL2 pages on this site say ROM lenses should not be fitted to those bodies.
Extenders. Leica's handbook lists the APO-Extender-R 1.4x (11249) and 2x (11269) as accessories for all six. Its data chart gives, with the 2x: 5.6/560, 5.6/800, 8/800, 8/1120, 11/1120 and 11/1600 mm; with the 1.4x: 4/400 (from the 280/2.8), 4/560, 5.6/560, 5.6/800, 8/800 and 8/1120 mm. Apotelyt says the module lenses were designed to be used with Leica's 1.4x and 2x APO extenders and lists the earlier non-ROM APO-Extender-R 2x (11262) beside the 1.4x among their accessories.
Dates: 1996–2009 from Apotelyt. All six order numbers are in Leica's Handbook 2000/2001. The Duclos Cine Lens Wiki gives 2005–2009 for the 560/5.6, which the handbook contradicts.
Telescope: with Leica's Telescope Ocular TO-R the handbook gives magnifications of 22.5× (280/2.8), 32× (both 400s), 45× (both 560s) and 64× (800/5.6).
Price: Apotelyt gives Leica's list prices near the end of production, 2009, in euros: €9,345 (280/2.8), €14,945 (400/2.8), €10,690 (400/4), €16,290 (560/4), €11,990 (560/5.6) and €17,590 (800/5.6); parts €4,995 (small head), €10,595 (large head), €4,350 (1x), €5,695 (1.4x) and €6,995 (2x); €32,630 for the complete system. Apotelyt does not say whether these include German VAT, and gives no launch price. Dealer asking prices for used parts: ProGear, Auckland, a complete module ROM set at NZ$11,998.99 including GST (NZ$10,433.90 before GST), and a Focus Module 4/400/560 at NZ$3,900 including GST, both shown as not available; GearFocus listed a large head 11842 at US$3,262.98, a Focus Module 1x at US$814.98 and a Focus Module 2x at US$917.07, all marked sold in October 2025, with free shipping within the continental US.

How to tell them apart (expand)

Two parts joined by a locking bayonet: a front lens head and a rear focus module. Leica sold two heads, 11841 (named 'APO-TELYT-R 280/400/560', 125 mm front, built-in extensible hood) and 11842 ('APO-TELYT-R 400/560/800', 157 mm front, detachable hood 12590), and three focus modules, 11843 (2.8/280/400, factor 1), 11844 (4/400/560, factor 1.4) and 11845 (5.6/560/800, factor 2). Any head fits any module, and the pair decides the lens (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)
The focus module carries the R bayonet with ROM contacts, the focusing ring and a drawer for Series 6 filters; Leica delivered each module with a Series 6 ND ×1 filter in the drawer (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)
A carrying handle on top, with a tripod thread rotatable for upright and horizontal format; a combined metre and feet scale and no depth-of-field scale (Leica Handbook 2000/2001; Apotelyt)
Apotelyt notes that the Leica name is engraved on the small head but only a sticker on the large head, so a missing badge on an 11842 is not by itself damage
Caps: front 14012 (A125, small head) or 14086 (A166, large head), 14223 on the front of a focus module, 14224 on the back of a head, 14162 R rear cap (Leica Handbook 2000/2001; Apotelyt)
Not the one-piece APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 (11245), 400mm f/2.8 (11260) or 280mm f/4 (11261, ROM 11360), which have no joint between front and rear

APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 (11846): head 11841 + Focus Module 1x 11843:

Small head 11841, which Leica names 'APO-TELYT-R 280/400/560', 125 mm front with a built-in extensible hood, on the Focus Module 2.8/280/400 (11843, factor 1)
276 mm from the bayonet flange; focuses to 2 m; smallest field 14.6 × 20.6 cm, about 1:6.1 (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)
Push-on front cap A125, 14012

APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 (11847): head 11842 + Focus Module 1x 11843:

Large head 11842, which Leica names 'APO-TELYT-R 400/560/800', 157 mm front with a detachable hood 12590, on the Focus Module 2.8/280/400 (11843, factor 1)
344 mm from the bayonet flange; focuses to 3.7 m; smallest field 20.6 × 31.0 cm, about 1:8.5 (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)
Push-on front cap A166, 14086

APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/4 (11857): head 11841 + Focus Module 1.4x 11844:

Small head 11841 (125 mm front, built-in hood) on the Focus Module 4/400/560 (11844, factor 1.4)
314 mm from the bayonet flange; focuses to 2.15 m; smallest field 10.9 × 16.4 cm, about 1:4.5 (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)

APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/4 (11848): head 11842 + Focus Module 1.4x 11844:

Large head 11842 (157 mm front, detachable hood 12590) on the Focus Module 4/400/560 (11844, factor 1.4)
382 mm from the bayonet flange; focuses to 3.95 m; smallest field 15.4 × 23.2 cm, about 1:6.5 (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)

APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/5.6 (11858): head 11841 + Focus Module 2x 11845:

Small head 11841 (125 mm front, built-in hood) on the Focus Module 5.6/560/800 (11845, factor 2)
374 mm from the bayonet flange; focuses to 2.15 m; smallest field 7.5 × 11.3 cm, about 1:3.1, the closest of the six (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)

APO-Telyt-R 800mm f/5.6 (11849): head 11842 + Focus Module 2x 11845:

Large head 11842 (157 mm front, detachable hood 12590) on the Focus Module 5.6/560/800 (11845, factor 2)
442 mm from the bayonet flange, the longest of the six; focuses to 3.95 m in Leica's handbook (3.90 m in Apotelyt's table); smallest field 10.7 × 16 cm, about 1:4.5

APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 (11846): head 11841 + Focus Module 1x 11843: The shortest and lightest of the six, with an angle of view of 8.8°. Leica's handbook gives 3.700 kg; Apotelyt's table gives 3,740 g. It is not the one-piece APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 of 1984 (11245), which Leica's 2000/2001 ROM table lists separately as convertible.
APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 (11847): head 11842 + Focus Module 1x 11843: The fast 400 of the system. Leica's handbook gives 5.900 kg; Apotelyt's module table gives 6,240 g. It shares its name and speed with the one-piece APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8, which Leica's 2000/2001 ROM table lists as 11260, "possible" to convert; the module lens can be told from it by the joint between head and focus module.
APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/4 (11857): head 11841 + Focus Module 1.4x 11844: The light 400. Leica's handbook gives 3.800 kg, Apotelyt 3,860 g. Erwin Puts compares it with the one-piece APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/4 of 1993, which he rates the best performer in the whole R programme (as he still did in 2003): the module 400/4 has, he writes, a little more contrast in the centre of the image but somewhat less in the corners.
APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/4 (11848): head 11842 + Focus Module 1.4x 11844: The fast 560. Leica's handbook gives 6.000 kg and 4.5°; Apotelyt gives 6,360 g and 4.4°. It is already in Leica's Handbook 2000/2001 with its order number and ROM, so the 2005–2009 dates that some lens databases give for the 560mm modules cannot be its launch.
APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/5.6 (11858): head 11841 + Focus Module 2x 11845: The light 560. Leica's handbook gives 3.950 kg and 4.5°, Apotelyt 4,050 g and 4.4°. The Duclos Cine Lens Wiki gives 2005–2009 for it, against Leica's own listing of the lens in the 2000/2001 handbook. Not the older non-APO Telyt 560mm f/5.6 on the Televit focusing unit.
APO-Telyt-R 800mm f/5.6 (11849): head 11842 + Focus Module 2x 11845: Leica's handbook gives 6.200 kg, Apotelyt 6,550 g. Its order number is 11849 in Leica's Handbook 2000/2001 (lens list, module page, accessory tables and ROM table) and in Apotelyt. The number 11842 that is sometimes given for the 800 is Leica's number for the large lens head alone, which the 800 shares with the 400/2.8 and the 560/4. Apotelyt says focusing the f/5.6 lenses is hard on the standard microprism screen and that Leica recommended a plain ground-glass screen. Not the Telyt-S 800mm f/6.3, a different and much older lens.

Serial-range notes

each part carries its own number: Heads and focus modules were sold separately and are numbered separately, so a complete lens normally carries two serials that need not be close. Apotelyt, citing the Leica Wiki, says about 3,000 serial numbers were assigned to module components in all.

Specifications

Formula: Apochromatic telephoto in two parts, a front lens head and a rear focus module with internal focusing; 8 to 11 elements depending on the combination (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)
Aperture range: f/2.8–f/22
Filter: Series 6 drop-in drawer in the focus module (holder 14592)
Years manufactured: 1996–2009
Material: Black anodized lens tube, lens unit in a light finish (Leica Handbook 2000/2001)
Original price: €32,630 for the complete system, €9,345 (280/2.8) to €17,590 (800/5.6) per lens: Leica list prices of 2009 as given by Apotelyt, not launch prices

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History

The APO-Telyt-R Module System is Leica’s set of long apochromatic telephotos for the R cameras, sold from 1996 to 2009 according to Apotelyt. It is built from two kinds of part joined by a locking bayonet. There are two front lens heads: the small 11841, which Leica names “APO-TELYT-R 280/400/560”, with a 125 mm front, and the large 11842, “APO-TELYT-R 400/560/800”, with a 157 mm front. There are three rear focus modules, which carry the R bayonet, the focusing ring and a Series 6 filter drawer: 11843 (factor 1), 11844 (factor 1.4) and 11845 (factor 2). Leica’s Handbook 2000/2001 says any head fits any module, and that the six pairings make six complete lenses with their own order numbers: 280mm f/2.8 (11846), 400mm f/2.8 (11847), 400mm f/4 (11857), 560mm f/4 (11848), 560mm f/5.6 (11858) and 800mm f/5.6 (11849). Each focal length above 280mm therefore comes in a faster, heavier form on the large head and a slower, lighter one on the small head. Every combination stops down to f/22, focuses internally and has a fully automatic diaphragm. Leica describes all of them as apochromatic and corrected into the infrared.

The point of the design, as Apotelyt puts it, is that a photographer carries two heads and a few modules instead of six lenses, and gets a wider aperture than a long zoom would give. Apotelyt also notes that, unlike a teleconverter, a modular system does not just enlarge the centre of a shorter lens’s image, so it does not magnify that lens’s faults. The system was still meant to be used with Leica’s APO-Extender-R 1.4x and 2x, which Leica lists as accessories for every combination and which take the 800 to 1120mm f/8 or 1600mm f/11. Erwin Puts compares the 400mm f/4 with the one-piece APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/4 of 1993: a little more contrast in the centre, somewhat less in the corners. Apotelyt adds that distortion is 1 to 1.5 per cent, a little higher than on most competing lenses, and that the f/5.6 lenses are hard to focus on the standard microprism screen, for which Leica recommended a plain ground-glass screen. Apotelyt also says the system sold in small numbers, aimed at sport and wildlife photographers and priced at about twice comparable Canon or Nikon lenses. Citing the Leica Wiki, it puts the total at about 3,000 serial numbers assigned to module parts. In 2009 Leica’s list price for the complete set of two heads and three modules was €32,630, by Apotelyt’s figures.

Every module is a ROM lens: Leica’s ROM table marks all six “already with ROM”. The handbook gives them the R bayonet for the R3 to R8 with mechanical exposure balance, plus electronic data for the R8. The R9 shares that mount. The ROM table’s own notes say that the Leicaflex control cams must be removed for ROM, and the Leicaflex body pages on this site warn against fitting ROM lenses to the Leicaflex, SL or SL2. Expect these lenses to work on R bodies only. On the R8 and R9 the contacts pass data to the body. On earlier R bodies the contacts do nothing, and the lens couples mechanically as Leica’s handbook describes.

When buying, check both parts and both numbers. Heads and focus modules were sold, and are still resold, separately. A listing headed “560mm” may be a lone 11841 head, and a listing for a “Focus Module 1.4x” is half a lens. Each part has its own serial number, so a complete lens carries two. Look at the bayonet joint between head and module for wear, and make sure it locks firmly. Look at the strip of ROM contacts on the module’s mount, and check that the Series 6 filter drawer is there, since Leica shipped each module with an ND ×1 filter in it. The small head has a built-in extensible hood. The large head uses a separate hood, 12590, which is often missing, and its Leica badge is a sticker rather than an engraving, according to Apotelyt. The front caps are just as specific: 14012 (A125) for the small head, 14086 (A166) for the large one. Do not confuse the system with the one-piece APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 (11245) and 400mm f/2.8, with the 280mm f/4, or with the much older Telyt-R 400 and 560mm f/6.8 and Telyt-S 800mm f/6.3. Those lenses have pages of their own.

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This history is AI-written, from the sources listed at the foot of the page. Where the record is silent it says so rather than filling the gap — but no human wrote these sentences.

Example photos

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Apotelyt: the complete set in its packaging, the 280/2.8 and 800/5.6 on an R8, a head and focus module apart, and the bayonet between them (photos credited to Schouten Select, jcaoy, Breguet Camera and Leica)

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